Campaign to remove Islamic State signs to launch in western Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) A wide-scale campaign will be launched to remove the signs of Islamic State in western Anbar, an official announced.

Speaking to AlSumaria News on Sunday, Hussein Ali, mayor of Rawa, said “the local administration of the town, in cooperation with the residents, started a campaign to remove the signs of IS from Rawa.”

“The campaign includes painting the pavements, removing banners as well as any other signs of the group,” Ali added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, earlier this month, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

In November, Abadi said his country has defeated Islamic State over the military level, but will declare final victory after desert areas are purged of militants. Earlier in the month, Iraqi forces recaptured Anbar’s western town of Rawa, the very last bastion under Islamic State control.

Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State occupied in 2014.

The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.